April 10, 2009--Found in a treasure-filled tomb of the Moche culture in Peru, this 1,500-year-old gilded-copper-and-seashell funerary mask was one of two that shielded the face of the so-called Lord of Ucupe. The tomb was discovered in June by a team co-led by archaeologist Steve Bourget of the University of Texas. (Read full story.)

As in his tomb, the Lord of Ucupe in life would have been covered nearly head to toe in shining metal, so as to dazzle and distract his subjects, Bourget said. "This is the king of bling, literally."